The "State Department human-rights effort" is not exactly world-renown for its ethics. Quite the opposite.
A citizen of a country with a repressive regime was revealed by release of the diplomatic cables to have provided information to the US State Department on the persecution of church members in their country. They have subsequently had to flee the country, being separated for years from their spouse and children who have remained trapped at home.
Do you really find it more credible that I am lying than that the massive release of diplomatic cables has had at least one severely negative and unintended consequence?
To provide a bit more context - it is common for any Christian in some countries to be accused of being a US collaborator. Once your name appears in US diplomatic cable, regardless of the reason, it is very bad news.
I guess helping people in oppressive regimes doesn't count to you then?? I guess this $28 million was wasted then huh?
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-20/u-s-funds-help-demo...
"The U.S. State Department is set to announce $28 million in grants to help Internet activists, particularly in countries where the governments restrict e-mail and social networks such as those offered by Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc. and Google Inc. (GOOG)"
"The program, which has drawn Republican criticism and budget cuts, has produced software that is spreading widely in Iran and Syria, helping pro-democracy activists avoid detection, said Dan Baer, deputy assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor."
Are any of those things necessarily problematic if the United States decides it is in its interest to engage in them? Be aware that what you think of when you say "meddling in domestic politics" may be interpreted differently by others.